Trigger Warning: Course Language, Sexual Assault and Rape References

Suggested Audiences: 16 years and over

Title: "BETI BACHOA, BETI PADHAO” to "BETA PADHAO, BETI BACHOA" (Lets change from ‘Educating Daughters and Saving Them’ to ‘Educating Sons and Saving Daughters’).

You know I'm proud.

You know I'm proud citizen because I proudly fill up those blanks where I need to mention my ______NATIONALITY______.

I’ll proudly talk about it’s CORRUPTION filled POLITICS and NEPOTISTIC filled BOLLYWOOD.

It's an amazing country, isn't it?!

But, what I am most proud about are those extremely talented "MEN" with their extraordinary DICKS…

and unauthorized sexual desires….

My country is also known as the "RAPE CAPITAL" and it’s these extremely talented people with their extraordinary abilities that are largely responsible for achieving this other title.

"RAPE CULTURE", as common as the ages,

The roles remain mostly the same; the MEN with the dicks; the 'rapist',

and…

The WOMEN, seen as the weak, the meek, the scared; falls the 'victim'.

In fiction or in life, the character dynamics remain same…

You never know the rapist, they come in all shapes, ages and sizes. They might come in the form of your FATHER, BROTHER, UNCLE, BOYFRIEND, HUSBAND, FRIEND, or a STRANGER.

But what remains a constant amongst these men, with their extremely talented abilities and extraordinary dicks, is their unwavering pride.

No shame.

They can be easily found on streets, in their cars, on the trains, masturbating or online sharing pictures and videos, because all we need is a DICK, right!?

Mind you,the victims also come in all ages; SIX MONTHS, SIX YEARS, SIXTEEN, TWENTY-SIX, THIRTY-SIX, and SIXTY.

The list goes on and on.

You may be a DAUGHTER, a SISTER, a WIFE, a FRIEND, a GIRLFRIEND…it doesn't matter, all you need is a pair of BREASTS and a VAGINA.

AND,

Maybe you were asking for it in those short clothes, tattoos, makeup, late night out, or just because you were too outspoken.

You sent the message; ''AAO MUJHR RAPE KARO" (come and rape me, I'm asking for it)

My country believes in progress, female empowerment and education, but what's the point of educating a girl when she is left too broken to do anything with it?

What’s the point if she can’t save herself?

What's the point of setting those examples, remembering NIRBHAYA (a past rape and murder victim) and all those others, when society is still not ready to acknowledge and protect its women.

What's the point of saving her from abortion, when she is going to be killed one day or the other in life?

What's the point of law and regulations when the rapist still feels, secure and proud to share his rape stories?

When the rapist still feels no shame?

What's the point of "BETI BACHOA, BETI PADHAO",when your beti (daughter) is not there?

Who needs the EDUCATION?

Who needs to CHANGE?

Let's change, let's change for good.

Let's change from "BETI BACHOA, BETI PADHAO" to "BETA PADHAO, BETI BACHOA" (from educating daughters and saving them to educating sons and saving daughters).

* * *

Because I am a proud feminist, I feel it’s my duty to use my voice for the cause.

Recently, in my country, India, there was another heartbreaking story of a 27-year-old Veterinarian from Hyderabad, who was brutally raped, murdered and burned. Her only fault that she trusted four men who were pretending to help her. She was gang-raped pre and post humorously- even after her soul left her body. It was this fact, and not that it happened again, that completely broke me from inside.

No one feels safe here. It is with so much pain and sadness to admit that in spite of India’s growing success in the international sphere, that women are still so unsafe and so institutionally discriminated against.

Acknowledging these issues are central to shift the paradigm, and really create the change we need- a recognition of the crime, the culture, the misogyny and patriarchy. A condemnation that will only be felt when there is justice for the victims and education for the future of our youth, our women and our country will be stronger because of it- because ultimately "NO WOMEN means NO YOU".

-Sagarika Deka.

To read more of Sagarika’s work, click here or you can follow her on Instagram.

A Poem: Educating Sons and Saving Daughters